A Lackluster Day at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry

Making a weekend trip to Chicago?

For many people living in the Midwest, like us, Chicago is a popular travel destination. We’ve made this trip so many times, I thought our kids would rather skip the museums. But no, Piano Man asked to visit the Museum of Science and Industry. (I give major props to his teacher for teaching Newton’s third law and bringing a lot of enthusiasm in those science lessons.)

Well, we gave Linus his day with trip to the Shedd. It was Piano Man’s turn to lead us around the Museum of Science and Industry. I have to admit that the first time we visited the Museum of Science and Industry, it was a full four-hour museum experience. It was intense, but immensely fun because it was our first time.

Here’s how the museum experience stacked up two years later:

Corn, Cows, and Farming – Oh My!

Piano Man immediately took us downstairs to check out the farming equipment. Kids enjoyed sitting in the driver’s seat of life-size farming equipment, which is always fun for little ones.

See? Our little one could not sit still for a moment. Piano Man was already off on the next thing.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Of course, this is always a favorite. Linus could not contain his excitement, which Piano Man went with Prof to the ToyMaker factory. Too bad that the ToyMaker factory was under renovations.

Seattle’s Space Needle Replica

The Human Genome Project, et al

But then we saw an exhibit that we missed on our last visit – learning about DNA, cloning, and baby chicks hatching!

Newton’s Three Laws of Motion

Of course, we visited the all things about movement exhibit, aka Science Storms exhibit.

The tornado replica exhibit is always fun to watch.

Come Early or Wait in Line

Good thing we came first thing in the morning. By the time we left around lunch time, this is what the entrance to the museum looked like. Everywhere we went, we noticed lines at museums beginning around lunch time into late afternoon hours. So come early.

Gift Shop

I must say that looking around the gift shop is usually not my personal favorite place to be, but I had to stop and take this photograph. How cute is this little outfit? It would make a great DIY costume project someday.

My Final Review

A few of the exhibits were under renovation, while the ones we did see were exhibits we had seen before. I felt like it was nothing new, but Piano Man enjoyed it more this time around since he is learning so much in his science class. Piano Man enjoyed this visit much more than Linus, probably because Piano Man can read through the exhibits. Maybe Linus was tuckered out from his sea life visit to the Shedd the day before.

(Brick by Brick Exhibit – Under Renovation)

I think many of the exhibits will be ready next week as students will be going on Spring Break. Thus, I am sure we will be back for another visit to see more. Next time, Museum of Science and Industry. Next time.

Related:

TRAVEL: Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry
TRAVEL: Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium
TRAVEL: Houston’s Museum of Natural Science
TRAVEL: Battleship Texas
TRAVEL: Space Center Houston
TRAVEL: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
TRAVEL: Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI
TRAVEL: The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
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